EMPOWERING SUCCESSFUL CONNECTIONS: A RESOURCE AND STRATEGY GUIDE FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF U.S. MILITARY VETERANS IN SACRAMENTO, CA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY Paul D. Flynn B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 1998 Linda Matthews B.A., California State University, Sacramento, 2007 PROJECT Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK at CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO SPRING 2010 EMPOWERING SUCCESSFUL CONNECTIONS: A RESOURCE AND STRATEGY GUIDE FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF U.S. MILITARY VETERANS IN SACRAMENTO, CA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY A Project by Paul D. Flynn Linda Matthews Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Chrystal Ramirez Barranti, PhD, MSW Date: ____________________________ ii Paul D. Flynn Students: Linda Matthews I certify that these students have met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the project. , Graduate Coordinator Teiahsha Bankhead, PhD, LCSW Date Division of Social Work iii Abstract of EMPOWERING SUCCESSFUL CONNECTIONS: A RESOURCE AND STRATEGY GUIDE FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF U.S. MILITARY VETERANS IN SACRAMENTO, CA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY by Paul D. Flynn Linda Matthews This project was undertaken to determine whether a need exists for a resource and strategy guide to aid California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) social work students and professionals in Sacramento, CA, and surrounding counties in connecting United States military veterans with needed services. Two researchers collaborated on this study. Each researcher is contributing to the design, data collection, analysis and writing of the project. The research design of this study was exploratory with descriptive statistics used to analyze the data. One hundred and twelve CSUS MSW I and II students participated in a survey, which showed that 77.6% of students lacked knowledge of issues veterans face and 84.9% lacked knowledge of the services available to veterans. This knowledge deficit provides justification for the creation of a resource and strategy guide, which has been created from this project. __________________________________, Committee Chair Chrystal Ramirez Barranti, PhD, MSW Date: ____________________________ iv DEDICATION This study is a dedication to Linda’s father, Frank McElmurry, who is a WWII veteran, to Paul’s stepfather, Carl Richards, who has served in the United States Army, to Paul’s father, Christopher Flynn, who is a veteran of the war in Vietnam, and to Linda’s partner, David Most, who is a Vietnam era veteran. This study is also dedicated to all the men and women who have ever served in the United States military. Thank you all for your service. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I, Paul D. Flynn, want to thank my wife and my family for the love and support they have provided to me during my time in the MSW Program. A special thank you is also in order for my project advisor, Dr. Barranti, whose dedication, compassion and kindness I will never forget. I would also like to thank all of my instructors who have inspired me and encouraged me to continue to grow professionally. I, Linda Matthews, would like to express my thanks to my partner and my family for their unconditional love and support throughout my education. I want to give special recognition to my project advisor, Dr. Barranti, whose kindness and dedication are an inspiration to me professionally and personally. I would also like to express my gratitude in the order of acquaintance to the professors who have most inspired me including, Bart Phelps, David Nyland, Jude Antoyappan, Janice Gaggerman, Andrew Bein, and Joan Dworkin. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Dedication............................................................................................................................v Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. vi List of Tables .......................................................................................................................x Chapter 1. PROBLEM STATEMENT .............................................................................................1 Introduction..............................................................................................................1 Statement of Collaboration ......................................................................................5 Background of the Problem .....................................................................................6 Statement of the Research Problem .........................................................................8 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................9 Research Question ...................................................................................................9 Theoretical Framework..........................................................................................10 Definition of Terms................................................................................................11 Assumptions...........................................................................................................12 Justification............................................................................................................12 Delimitations..........................................................................................................13 Summary................................................................................................................14 2. LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................................................15 Introduction............................................................................................................15 vii Current Issues Affecting United States Military Veterans ....................................16 Military Culture .....................................................................................................17 Military Sexual Trauma .........................................................................................19 Mental Health Needs..............................................................................................21 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)...................................................................23 Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI) ................................................................................26 Medical Needs for United States Military Veterans..............................................28 The VHA................................................................................................................31 TRICARE ..............................................................................................................36 Transitional Assistance Program ...........................................................................40 Employment...........................................................................................................41 Housing for Homeless Veterans ............................................................................43 Transportation Services .........................................................................................47 Gaps in the Literature.............................................................................................49 Summary................................................................................................................50 3. METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................51 Introduction............................................................................................................51 Research Question .................................................................................................51 Research Design.....................................................................................................51 Study Population/Subjects .....................................................................................53 Instrumentation ......................................................................................................54 viii Data Gathering Procedures ....................................................................................55 Data Analysis.........................................................................................................56 Protection of Human Subjects ...............................................................................57 Summary................................................................................................................58 4. ANALYSIS OF DATA.................................................................................................59 Introduction............................................................................................................59 Overall Findings.....................................................................................................59 5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS............................................................................80 Introduction............................................................................................................80 Summary................................................................................................................80 Conclusions............................................................................................................83